Two Leicester professors appear in list of world’s leading diabetes clinicians

Two Leicester professors who established an international centre of excellence in diabetes research have been named among the top 10 of the world’s leading experts into the condition.

Professors Kamlesh Khunti and Melanie Davies CBE, who co-founded the Leicester Diabetes Centre in 2012, are featured on the international Expertscape list in third and ninth place respectively.

Professor Davies, who is Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester, was also the highest ranked woman in the document that has identified the 60 most knowledgeable and experienced clinicians from all over the world.

Professor Khunti, who is Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, was third on the global list and topped the UK version of the same list, with Professor Davies in third place.

Both professors have led a number of large global studies in the field of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease and their work has influenced national and international guidelines on the screening and management of people with diabetes.

Professor Davies said: “We are all hugely proud of what we’ve achieved and to have our work recognised on a worldwide scale is hugely rewarding. We’re a leading applied health research unit committed to improving the lives and care of people with diabetes and other long-term conditions.

“We believe in keeping close to our local communities – valuing their input, and their support for all that we do. This support has enabled us to impact on the level care of people with diabetes receive, not only in our own city, but also throughout the UK and around the globe.”

Several other Leicester Diabetes Centre researchers have also featured on the national list, including Dr Laura Gray in 14thplace, Dr Francesco Zaccardi at number 35 and Dr Tom Yates ranked in 59thplace.

Professor Khunti said: “I am hugely honoured to be on this list, but the work we do could not be carried out without the team at the Leicester Diabetes Centre. Uniquely we collaborate with primary and secondary care, applying basic science and research into the real word, in a bid to change people’s lives.”

Based at Leicester General Hospital, the Leicester Diabetes Centre is responsible for world-leading clinical research, evidence-based education and cutting-edge innovation. It is a partnership between Leicester’s Hospitals and the University of Leicester and is now ranked as Europe’s largest diabetes research facility.

Together, Professor Davies and Professor Khunti have built up the Leicester Diabetes Centre team with more than 140 people currently carrying out over 50 studies designed to improve the lives of people with diabetes. It is responsible for world-leading clinical research, evidence-based education and cutting-edge innovation.

Expertscape is a healthcare information website that enables patients to quickly and easily find the medical professionals and institutions who have the greatest knowledge about a particular medical problem.